Apoyando a nuevos inmigrantes multiculturales para la obra.

From Personal Observation to Program Creation

ANIMO (Apoyando Nuevos Inmigrantes Multiculturales para la Obra) was born from a personal story of professional collaboration and shared purpose. As a school social worker and counselor at F.L. Schlagle High School saw a critical need to better support our Multicultural Hispanic Newcomer and Immigrant students. We recognized that many of them felt isolated and struggled to navigate not only a new educational system but a new culture entirely. Our conversations in the hallways and our shared passion for student well-being led us to a powerful realization: we needed to create a safe space where these students felt genuinely welcomed, loved, and supported throughout their educational journey in the U.S. We knew that a sense of belonging was the foundation for their success, and we were determined to build it for them.

From this shared vision, we teamed up to create the ANIMO pilot program. It's more than just an initiative; it's a comprehensive support system designed to help students from the moment they enroll. By blending transition mentoring with community-based civic engagement and identity development, ANIMO empowers students to embrace their cultural heritage and connect with their peers and staff. The success of this pilot program at F.L. Schlagle High School serves as the blueprint for a sustainable model. Our ultimate goal is to expand the program to every high school in the Kansas City metropolitan area, ensuring that our personal mission becomes a community-wide reality for every newcomer student.